$2M bond set for alleged killer

November 13, 2013

A Tiffin man accused of shooting and killing a man and woman at the Carey Conservation Club earlier this month appeared in court Tuesday morning.

During his appearance, Richard L. Clark Jr., 65, had his bond set at $2 million by Wyandot County Common Pleas Court Judge Kathleen Aubry. The court also entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of Clark to three counts of aggravated murder, all unclassified felonies, and one count each of kidnapping, a first-degree felony, and felonious assault, a second-degree felony. An attorney for Clark was not present at Tuesday's hearing.

Clark was indicted by a Wyandot County grand jury on the charges Friday, according to court documents, and a firearm specification is listed under each charge.

Article Photos

PHOTO BY ERIKA PLATT-HANDRURichard Clark Jr. (right), who is accused of shooting and killing his estranged girlfriend and another man, looks on Tuesday morning during his bond hearing and arraignment in Wyandot County Common Pleas Court. Judge Kathleen Aubry (left) set Clark’s bond at $2 million during the hearing.

According to his indictment, Clark caused the deaths of Cynthia L. Hawkinberry, 49, of Tiffin, and Roger E. Fredritz, 49, of Carey, Nov. 1. In Clark's third count of aggravated murder, his indictment states he caused the death of Hawkinberry while committing or attempting to commit the act of kidnapping.

Clark's indictment also alleges that he caused or attempted to cause physical harm to another woman by means of a deadly weapon.

Clark was arrested the night of Nov. 1 after he allegedly entered the Carey Conservation Club and opened fire, killing Hawkinberry, his estranged girlfriend, and Fredritz. Clark was familiar with Fredritz before the shooting, a detective from the Wyandot County Sheriff's Office previously said.

About 15 people were in the private club at the time of the shooting. No one else was injured.

Clark was apprehended inside the club without incident following the shootings, and the bodies of Hawkinberry and Fredritz also were found inside the club.

Wyandot County Prosecutor Jonathan Miller would not comment on Clark's indictment Tuesday, citing that he did not discuss cases that were currently going through the court system.

A call placed to Detective Sgt. Kerwin Wisely of the Wyandot County Sheriff's Office was not returned Tuesday by deadline.